STDs

Bacterial vaginosis (BV) is a condition in which the normal hydrogen peroxide producing lactobacilli in the vagina are depleted, resulting in an overgrowth of anaerobic bacteria, Gardnerella, and Mycoplasma. In other words, the good bacteria (which are the gate keepers and control the vaginal ecosystem) are replaced by the bad bacteria. BV causes an annoying, … Continue reading →

Routine screening blood tests for herpes are not recommended by the Centers for Disease Control. When I say routine screening I mean a scenario such as, “I want to get checked for everything, ok?” Blood tests for herpes do have a place in specific clinical situations, but that’s for another post. But say you did … Continue reading →

Thanks to Michael Douglas human papilloma virus (HPV), and HPV prevention, has been a topic of conversation. One great tool for prevention is the vaccine, which has the possibility to dramatically reduce (if not eliminate) infection with the major pathogenic types of HPV. A question that I am often asked is, “Should I get the HPV vaccine … Continue reading →

Michael Douglas, who is now three years post diagnosis for head and neck cancer, blamed oral sex with women for his disease. Apparently, he also says cunnilingus is the cure, but we’ll tackle that nugget another day. Douglas revealed his tumor was HPV positive while doing his press tour for Behind the Candelabra (which is … Continue reading →

While the HPV vaccine is an important weapon against cervical cancer, one of the vaccines (Gardasil) also provides coverage against HPV types 6 and 11, which cause genital warts. As this vaccine targets 4 types of HPV (16 and 18, which cause cervical cancer as well as 6 and 11) it is called a quadrivalent … Continue reading →

There is a lot of misinformation about herpes, both among health providers and the general public. When I lecture at a medical conferences about herpes I hear, “I didn’t know that,” all the time. I know people want more information, because I posted a piece in 2011 on the difference between type 1 and type … Continue reading →

I published 97 posts in 2012 and during the year my blog was viewed approximately 970,000 times. I’m humbled that anyone took the time to read anything that I wrote. Some posts were read by a couple of hundred people and some posts by a couple of hundred thousand. I don’t think the writing on … Continue reading →

Initiating the vaccine series for the human papilloma virus (HPV) by age 11 or 12 is recommended, although many parents balk at a vaccine to prevent a sexually transmitted virus at this tenderly perceived age because, “12 year olds shouldn’t be having sex” or better yet, “My 12-year-old won’t be having sex.” (Just to recap, HPV … Continue reading →

Human papilloma virus (HPV) is the virus that causes most cervical, vaginal, and anal cancers. It also causes cancer of the vulva, and penis. More recently, HPV has been identified as an increasing cause of head and neck cancers, especially for men. From 1984 to 2004 the percentage of head and neck cancers related to … Continue reading →

If there’s a whiff of a story about vaccine safety or controversy, expect the major media outlets to be on it like buzzards on carrion. Michele Bachmann spouts anti-vaccine crap and it’s a headline. Everywhere. Rick Perry back peddles over his HPV vaccine policy in Texas and it’s discussed for days. The war cry of … Continue reading →